County Manager's Office
Dr. Howard Piper, Special Assistant for Management and Performance Assessment

As the Special Assistant for Management and Performance Assessment, Dr. Howard Piper primarily reviews departmental operations and business practices to identify and implement solution to address significant business issues, mitigate business risks, and to reduce waste. This includes assessment of service levels, costs, performance, and implementation of cross-cutting business practices and strategic initiatives that are consistent with modern and innovative business and leadership practices.  

Previously, Dr. Piper served as the deputy director for the Department of Procurement Management where he supported the Director and the County Manager in leading and managing the County's procurement management activities. These include leading a procurement staff of 109 and managing business resources to provide value added central procurement services to more than 45 County Departments and offices.

Mr. Piper also served as an Assistant to the County Manager for Strategic Management Initiatives. His work supported the County's initiative to meet the public's expectations for efficient, responsive and quality County service delivery. This included a focus on strategic and business planning, finance, performance measures and performance improvement initiatives.  In addition, Mr. Piper supported the Special Assistant for Strategic Management initiatives responsible for oversight of the Finance Department, Employee Relations Department, Department of Strategic Business Management, the Property Appraisal Department and the General Services Administration Department. Additionally, he provided staff support to the Internal Management and Fiscal Responsibility Committee of the Board of County Commissioners and the Mayor's Efficiency and Competition Commission. He was also a part of the Manager's Project team the spearheaded the development of 2004 General Obligation Bond Program and the promotional campaign for its passage. 

Prior to this assignment, Mr. Piper served as the manager of the Office of Performance Improvement (OPI) where he directed various internal consulting projects, including management and efficiency projects, managed competition initiatives, and best practices reviews, as well as the implementation of innovative programs and improvement initiatives countywide.  He was part of the management team responsible for the completion of the County's first Countywide Strategic Plan, development of employee gain sharing program and development of standards for countywide rollout of employee participation programs.

Dr. Piper is trained engineer and holds both doctoral and masters degrees in Business Administration. He joined Miami-Dade County in 1998 and brings a wealth of domestic and international professional experience in engineering, consulting, business management and public policy in both the public and private sectors.